Medium or high voltage switch bushing

Abstract

A medium or high voltage switch is provided. The medium or high voltage switch includes a bottle assembly and a bushing. The bottle assembly includes a bottle formed of a first material and defining a chamber. The bottle assembly further includes a plurality of contacts for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit, the plurality of contacts disposed within the chamber. The bushing is formed of a second material and defines a cavity configured to receive the bottle assembly. The bottle assembly and the bushing have an interference fit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medium or high voltage switch, comprising:
 a bottle assembly comprising:
 a bottle formed of a first material and defining a chamber; and 
 a plurality of contacts for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit, the plurality of contacts disposed within the chamber; 
 
 a bushing formed of a second material and defining a cavity configured to receive the bottle assembly; 
 a sleeve formed of a third material and overmolded onto the bottle; and 
 a dielectric grease disposed between the bottle assembly and the bushing, 
 wherein the bottle assembly and the bushing have an interference fit. 
 
     
     
       2. The switch of  claim 1 , wherein the second material comprises high-density polyethylene. 
     
     
       3. The switch of  claim 1 , wherein the third material comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
       4. The switch of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is substantially evacuated. 
     
     
       5. The switch of  claim 1 , wherein the bushing comprises:
 a head portion defining the first cavity; and 
 a tank portion defining a second cavity receiving a closing mechanism interconnected with at least one of the plurality of contacts and configured to selectively couple and decouple the at least one of the plurality of contacts with another of the plurality of contacts. 
 
     
     
       6. A medium or high voltage switch, comprising:
 a bottle assembly comprising:
 a bottle formed of a first material and defining a chamber; and 
 a plurality of contacts for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit, the plurality of contacts disposed within the chamber; and 
 
 a bushing formed of a second material and defining a cavity configured to receive the bottle assembly; 
 wherein the bottle assembly and the bushing have an interference fit and the second material comprises high-density polyethylene. 
 
     
     
       7. The switch of  claim 6 , further comprising a dielectric grease disposed between the bottle assembly and the bushing. 
     
     
       8. A medium or high voltage switch comprising:
 a bottle assembly comprising:
 a bottle formed of a first material and defining a chamber; and 
 a plurality of contacts for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit, the plurality of contacts disposed within the chamber; 
 
 a bushing formed of a second material and defining a cavity configured to receive the bottle assembly; 
 a first terminal; and 
 a compression member; 
 wherein the bottle assembly and the bushing have an interference fit; 
 wherein the plurality of contacts comprises a first contact electrically coupled to the first terminal; 
 wherein the bushing comprises a boss, the first terminal extending at least partially therethrough; and 
 wherein the compression member compresses the boss against the terminal to form a seal. 
 
     
     
       9. The switch of  claim 8 , wherein the compression member compresses the boss against the terminal to at least partially retain the bottle within the bushing. 
     
     
       10. A medium or high voltage switch, comprising:
 a first terminal; 
 a bottle assembly comprising:
 a bottle defining a chamber; 
 a plurality of contacts for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit, the plurality of contacts disposed within the chamber, the plurality of contacts comprising a first contact electrically coupled to the first terminal; and 
 
 a bushing defining a cavity configured to receive the bottle assembly, the bushing comprising a boss having the first terminal extending at least partially therethrough; and 
 a compression member compressing the boss against the terminal to form a seal. 
 
     
     
       11. The switch of  claim 10 , wherein the compression member comprises a ring electrically coupled to the terminal. 
     
     
       12. The switch of  claim 11 , wherein the compression member comprises a sidewall coupled to the boss and an inwardly extending flange coupled to the terminal. 
     
     
       13. The switch of  claim 10 , wherein the compression member compressing the boss against the terminal at least partially retains the bottle within the bushing. 
     
     
       14. The switch of  claim 10 , wherein the compression member compressing the boss against the terminal forms a substantially airtight seal. 
     
     
       15. The switch of  claim 10 , wherein the compression member is crimped to the boss. 
     
     
       16. A medium or high voltage switch, comprising:
 a bottle assembly comprising:
 a bottle defining a chamber; and 
 a plurality of contacts for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit, the plurality of contacts disposed within the chamber; and 
 
 a unitary bushing defining a cavity configured to receive the bottle assembly, the bushing comprising:
 a head portion defining the first cavity; and 
 a tank portion defining a second cavity receiving an operating mechanism interconnected with at least one of the plurality of contacts and configured to selectively couple and decouple the at least one of the plurality of contacts with another of the plurality of contacts, 
 wherein the bushing is formed of high-density polyethylene. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The switch of  claim 16 , wherein the tank portion defines a first opening for the passage of the operating mechanism therethrough, the first opening defined by an end of the tank portion distal the head portion. 
     
     
       18. The switch of  claim 16 , wherein the tank portion defines a first opening for the passage of the opera ting mechanism therethrough; and
 further comprising a cover configured to seal the first opening. 
 
     
     
       19. The switch of  claim 18 , wherein the tank portion defines an inner seating surface configured to receive the cover. 
     
     
       20. The switch of  claim 8 , wherein the the second material comprises high-density polyethylene.